Container-dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for dispensing article-receiving containers, specifically, open cartons or filler flats for packing eggs, which apparatus is characterized by a magazine for supporting a stack of the containers arranged on their edges and a means at the end of the stack which may be operated to withdraw successive endmost containers, one by one, and deposit the same with the open side uppermost on a horizontally disposed conveyor or other support for advance to a packing station or the like, the device being mounted on a swinging frame and including gripper fingers which are operated to grip the endmost container when the frame is swung to engage the stack end and to release the container when the frame is swung down to a position where the container is in a generally horizontal plane. In one form of the apparatus the gripper fingers may be rendered inoperative and the apparatus adapted to dispense containers which do not need to be pulled from the stack.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Charles H. Willsey Topeka; FrancisW. Majors, Ozawkie, Kilns.- {211 App]. No. 763,663 [22] Filed Sept. 30,1968 [45] Patented Mar. 30, 1971 [73] Assignee Seymour Foods, Inc.

Topeka, Kans. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 497,242, Oct.18, 1965, now Patent No. 2,461,45

[54] CONTAINER-DISPENSING APPARATUS 13 Claims, 30 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 221/226, 214/8.5, 221/251, 221/262 [51] Int. Cl B65h 3/26[50] Field ofSearch 221/262, 236, 210, 226, 221 223, 164; 214/8.5 (C),8.5, 8.5 (A); l98/(lnquired); 271/62 56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 3,101,851 8/1963 Heide etal 214/815X 3,130,967 4/1964 LeBrelle271/62 3,180,522 4/1965 Marasso 214/8.5X

3,403,816 10/1968 Verrinder et al. 2 l 4/8.5X

3,407,965 10/1968 Kuhlman 221/210 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,060,340 3/1967 GreatBritain 214/8.5C

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-David A. ScherbelAttorney-Greist, Lockwood, Greenawalt & Dewey ABSTRACT: An apparatus fordispensing article-receiving containers, specifically, open cartons orfiller flats for packing eggs, which apparatus is characterized by amagazine for supporting a stack of the containers arranged on theiredges and a means at the end of the stack which may be operated towithdraw successive endmost containers, one by one, and deposit the samewith the open side uppermost on a horizontally disposed conveyor orother support for advance to a packing station or the like, the devicebeing mounted on a swinging frame and including gripper fingers whichare operated to grip the endmost container when the frame is swung toengage the stack end and to release the container when the frame isswung down to a position where the container is in a generallyhorizontal plane. In one form of the apparatus the gripper fingers maybe rendered inoperative and the apparatus adapted to dispense containerswhich do not need to be pulled from the stack.

Patented March 30, 1971 3,572,549

9 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR CHARLES H. WILLS Y ATT'YS.

Patentcl March 30, 1971 3,572,549

9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented March 30, 1971 3,572,549

9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented March 30, 1971 9 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Patented March 30, 1971 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented March 30, 19713,572,549

9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented March 30, 1971 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 PatentedMarch 30, 1971 3,572,549

9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented March 30, 1971 9 Sheets-Sheet 9CONTAINER-DISPENSING APPARATUS This application is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 497,242 filed Oct. 18,1965, now US. Pat. No. 3,461,459.

This invention relates to apparatus for dispensing containers and ismore particularly concerned with improvements in a dispensing apparatusfor containers which are suitable for packing eggs or similar products.

It is a general object of the invention to provide in anarticle-handling apparatus a dispenser for feeding, one by one, packingcontainers, such as eg cartons or filler flats, from a magazine in whicha stack of thecontainers is arranged with the containers standing on oneof their edges, and depositing the containers on a generally horizontalsurface for subsequent advance to a packing station or the like.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a dispensingapparatus for containers which are arranged in a nested stack whichapparatus comprises a magazine for receiving a stack of the containerson the edge with a means for advancing the stack as the containers areremoved, one by one, from the forward end and a device for grippingsuccessive endmost containers and withdrawing the same by a forward endand a device for gripping successive endmost containers and withdrawingthe same by a. forward and then downward movement to position thecontainer generally horizontal for deposit on a conveyor, or the like,for forwarding to a packing station or other processing equipment.

Another object of the invention is; to provide an apparatus fordispensing open containers, for a magazine in which the containers aresupplied in stacked relation, with a stack advancing means, and a devicefor withdrawing successive endmost containers from the stack and forwithdrawing successive endmost containers from the stack and fordepositing the same, one by one, on a conveyor or the like, wherein, themagazine and the device for withdrawing the containers from the stackare readily adjustable to accommodate different types of containers,such as, for example, open cartons which are adapted to receive a dozeneggs, or filler flats which are adapted to receive three dozen eggs.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus fordispensing product-receiving containers, for example, egg cartons andfiller flats, which apparatus is adapted to be adjusted to handlecontainers formed of molded pulp or plastic which tend to stick togetherwhen stacked or chipboard containers which will readily separate'whenfreed at the end of a stack thereof.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentfrom a consideration of the containerdispensing apparatus which is shownby way of illustration in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, with portions broken away or omitted, of acontainer-dispensing apparatus which incorporates therein the principalfeatures of the invention, the illustrated apparatus being designed tofeed cartons or filler flats to a conveyor which is part of anegg-packing machine;

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the opposite side of the apparatus of FIG. 1,with portions broken away or omitted;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, to a larger scale andwith portions broken away;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal, vertical section taken on the line4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial plan view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 isa fragmentary section taken on the line 6-6 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a cross section taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a cross section taken on the line 9-9 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 10, 10A, 10B and 10C are fragmentary plan views showing successivepositions of the container-dispensing head and associated members inwithdrawing the leading container from a stack in the container supplymagazine;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 1, to anenlarged scale;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, vertical section taken on theline 12-12 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, longitudinal, vertical section taken on theline 13-13 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation, with portions broken away or omitted, of amodified form of the container dispensing apparatus;

FIG. 13 is an end elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 14, to a largerscale;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 16-16 of FIG. 15, toa smaller scale; 7

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 17-17 of FIG. 15, toa larger scale;

FIGS. 18, 13A, 18B and 18C are fragmentary sectional views, taken on theline 18-18 of FIG. 14, showing successive positions of the dispensinghead and associated members in withdrawing the leading container from astack of nested containers in the supply magazine;

FIG. 19 is a partial end elevation taken on the plane indicated at 19-19in FIG. id, to a larger scale;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 20-20 of FIG. 14, toa larger scale;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary view taken on the line 21-21 of FIG. 20; and

FIGS. 22, 22A and 22B are fragmentary sectional views, taken on the line22-22 of FIG. 14, showing successive positions of the dispensing headand associated members in withdrawing the leading carton from a stack ofchipboard cartons in the supply magazine.

Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, there isillustrated a container-dispensing apparatus which is particularlydesigned for incorporation in an egg-packing machine, wherein the eggsare delivered to the machine, one by one, from an infeed conveyor andarranged in predetermined, spaced relation, on a single line endlesstraveling egg-supporting conveyor, with the individual eggs each havingthe long axis generally horizontal and the small end of each eggpointing in the same direction. The egg conveyor advances the eggs to atransfer station where successive groups of the eggs. of a predeterminednumber, are removed from the egg conveyor by a transfer device anddeposited in a cellular carton, or a filler flat, which is supplied bythe container-dispensing apparatus from a supply magazine and advancedon a traveling conveyor to the transfer station. Thecontainer-dispensing apparatus includes a supply magazine foraccommodating a stack of the containers and a dispensing head which isadapted to handle either cellular egg cartons or pocketed filler flats,both of which are of well-known construction.

The egg cartons C or filler flats are supplied from the magazine 13(FIGS. 1 to 8) which is mounted at one end of the supporting frame 33 ofthe machine. The magazine 18 comprises a bottom supporting plate 32(FIGS. 3 and 3) on which a stack of the cartons or filler' flats aresupported on edge and in nested relation. The bottom plate 32 extendsbetween upright, oppositely disposed, parallel bottom side frame plates33 and 33' (FIG. 8) above which magazine-forming top side frames aredisposed in upright parallel planes which cooperate with the bottomplate 32 to hold the supply of containers C in stack formation. Theseupright top side frames comprise longitudinally spaced, verticallyextending po members 34, 3d and 35, 35' arranged in paired relation atthe rearward and forward ends of the magazine 18 and connected bylongitudinally extending, narrow side frame bars 36, 36'. The forwardposts 35, 33, which are adjustably mounted by bolt and slot connectionson the vertical side frame members, are extended upwardly and carrypairs of vertically spaced spring plate members 37 and associatedgripping and feeding devices or assemblies 33 which cooperate with thecontainer dispensing head 20 in feeding successive end containers fromthe forward end of the stack. The spring plate members 37 and theassociated container gripping and feeding devices 311 are of identicalconstruction and are arranged in vertically spaced, paired relation oneach side of the magazine. The receptacles or containers in the stackare advanced toward the dispensing head or container-feeding device 20by elongate, stack-supporting bars or shoe-forming members 40 and 40'(FIGS. 1

and 5) which are disposed in longitudinally extending recesses 41 and 41in the bottom plate 32, the recesses 41 and 41 being rectangular incross section and having a depth suffrcient to permit a four-motionmovement of the shoe members 40 and 40'. The latter are mounted at theiropposite ends on eccentrics 42 and 42' by means of upstanding anglebrackets 43 and 43'. The eccentrics 42 and 42' are carried onlongitudinally spaced cross-shafts 44 and 45, both of which arejournaled in the side frame plates 33 and 33. The stack-forwarding shoesor bars 40 and 40' are given a four-motion movement by rotation of theeccentrics 42 and 42', the top surface of the bars being slightly abovethe surface of the floor-forming bottom member 32 during forward motionof the same and being slightly below the top surface of the member 32during rearward motion thereof so as to slightly lift the stack ofcontainers and give it a forward movement at intervals. The twocross-shafts 44 and 45 are connected for simultaneous rotation bylongitudinally extending chain 46 which engages sprockets 47 and 48fixed on the shafts 44 and 4S, respectively. The shafl 44 is connectedto a main power shaft 30 by chain 51 which engages sprocket 52 fixed onthe drive shaft 30 and sprocket 53 which is connected by a slip clutch54 with the shaft 44 so as to insure that there is only one way rotationof the shaft 44. The shaft 44 is extended at the one end and providedwith a notched disc 55 adapted to be engaged by a dog 56 controlled by asolenoid indicated at 56 serving to lock the shaft 44 against rotationwhen engaged in the notch in the disc 55. At the other end of the shaft44 a lever arm 57 is mounted which is pivotally connected at 58 with theend of a pitman 60 for operating the container dispensing device 20.

A pressure applying pusher assembly 65 (FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 7) is mountedon the magazine 18 for engaging the trailing end of the stack ofcontainers. The stack pusher 65 comprises a cross plate 66 of generallychannel-shaped section with its opposite ends connected to slides 67, 67each having a guideway forming groove 68, 68' on the outer face thereofand seated in sliding relation on the longitudinally extending sideframe members 36 and 36. The cross plate 66 carries a pair of laterallyspaced, vertically disposed, parallel rods 70 and 70 which extend insliding relation through vertically aligned apertures in the rearwardlyextending top and bottom flanges of the plate 66. The rods 70 and 70'carry on their bottom ends friction pad members 71' and 71' which engageon the top surfaces of the shoe forming bars 40 and 40' and which areurged against the same by compression springs 72 and 72' extendingbetween the tops of the pads 71 and 71 and the bottom faces of thebottom flange of plate 66. The compression in the springs 72 and 72' andthe height of the pads or feet 71 and 71' is adjusted so that thefour-motion movement of the stack-forwarding shoes 40 and 40' imparts aforward movement to the pusher assembly 65 sufficient to applysubstantially constant pressure on the trailing end of the stack ofcontainers so as to keep the stack moving forward. The pusher assembly65 also tends to square up the front of the stack. However, the magazinemay be provided with spring fingers (not shown) at the bottom of thefront portion of the stack for this purpose. The stack is, of course,moved forward so as to maintain the leading container in the stack in apredetermined position for removal therefrom by the dispensing device 20which deposite each successive container on the conveyor table 16 infront of the stack for forwarding by the conveyor 17.

The container-dispensing device or head assembly 20 (FIGS. 1, 3, 4, 5, 9and is supported on vertically disposed, parallel side plates 73 and 74mounted on the outside faces of the main frame 35 at the forward end ofthe magazine 18 and the trailing end of the container or packagingconveyor table 16. The assembly 20 is adapted to withdraw from themagazine 18 and deposit on the end of the conveyor table 16 successivecontainers in the end of the supply stack which is supported in themagazine 18. The assembly 20 is so constructed that it will withdraw theleading carton from a stack of cartons or the leading filler flat from astack of filler flats and deposit the carton or filler flat, as the casemay be, on the conveyor table 16. The assembly 20 comprises a supportingframe structure 75 (FIGS. 4, 5, 9 and 10) which includes a main crossbar76 having one end extended through an L- shaped cam slot 77 (FIGS. 2 and4) in the side plate 74 and its other end extended through a T-shapedcam slot 78 (FIG. I) in the side plate 73. The bar 76 also extends atits ends through open-ended slots 80 and 81 in the outer ends of arms 82and 83 which are pivotally mounted at 84 and 85 to the support plates 73and 74, respectively, so that swinging movement of the arms 82 and 83will move the dispensing assembly 20 in a path determined by the camslots 77 and 78. The cam slot 77 corresponds to a portion of the camslot 78 so that there is uniform movement of the ends of the cross framerod 76. The one arm 82 has a bracket 86 which is pivotally connected at87 to the end of the pitman 60 so that movement of the assembly 20 iscontrolled by rotation of the cross-shaft 44. The cross rod 76 hasadjustably mounted thereon by means of thumb screw 83 (FIG. 5) and slot89 a rectangular center plate 90 which is disposed so that when theassembly 20 is in position for gripping a container at the end of thestack, the center plate 90 is in a generally vertical position and thetop and bottom flanges 91 and 92 (FIG. 4) extends in the direction ofthe stack. A pair of pivot pins 93 and 94 (FIG. 9) extend in parallelrelation through vertically aligned apertures in the outer corners ofthe top and bottom flanges 91 and 92 and provide pivot supports for fourarm assemblies 95 which are of identical construction and which aremounted in an identical manner on the pivot pins 93 and 94. Each armassembly 95 comprises a plate member 96 of the configuration shown inFIGS. 9 and 10 with a reinforcing or stiffening flange 97, as shown,which gives the main body of the arm in cross section, a Tconfiguration. The arm assemblies 95 are disposed in paired relation atthe top and bottom margins of the supporting plate 90 and inside theflanges 91 and 92 as shown in FIG. 10. A tension spring 98 is connectedbetween the inner ends of the flanges 97 of each pair of arms 95 andurges the same toward each other and into container-gripping position.The plate 96 is provided at its free ends with a curved slot 100 openinginwardly in the direction of longitudinal center of the machine. Theslot 100 is formed between a curved forward edge portion 101 of theplate 96 at the end of the arm and a small plate 102 having an innerportion overlying part of the curved edge portion 101, the plate 102being in a plane transverse of the plane of the plate 96. The plate 102which forms a hooklike member on the end of the arm 95 is of generallytriangular shape as shown in FIG. 5 and is spaced from the curved edgeportion 101 of plate 96 so as to provide slot 100 with somewhat greaterwidth than the thickness of the material at the side edge or rim of thecontainer C.

The container-dispensing head 20 is moved by mechanism heretoforedescribed so as to engage the ends of the arms 95 with successive endcontainers in the dispensing end of the stack and to withdraw eachsuccessive end container from the stack and deposit the same on theconveyor table 16 for advance by the conveyor 17 to a container packingor loading station. As the head 20 is moved toward the end of the stackfor gripping and withdrawing a container, the arm assemblies 95 onopposite sides are spread apart or opened so as to engage the ends ofthe arms with the side margins of the end container, the ends of theplates 96 being guided by engagement with the end plate members 103(FIG. 5) of the stack-holding devices or assemblies 38. As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the assemblies 38 are of like construction and each endplate member 103 of each assembly 38 comprises a straight striplikeportion 104, disposed in generally vertical position, and, in thestack-gripping or holding position of FIG. 5, generally parallel withthe longitudinal center of the magazine 18. A vertical pivot 105connects the one end of the straight portion 104 with the end of a linkbar 106 which has its other end pivoted at 107 to the end of ahorizontally disposed slide bar member 108 (FIGS. 4, 5 and 7) which ismounted in free sliding relation in a guideway 110 formed on the outsideface of the associated upright side frame post 35 or 35'. The straightportion 104 terminates at the end adjacent the stack in an outwardlydirected flange forming member 111 which engages the inner face of theassociated flat spring member 37 adjacent the free end thereof, thelatter being secured at its trailing end on the vertical support post 35or 35' and being adapted to urge the trailing end of the plate member1113 in the direction of the containers in the stack so as to normallyposition an inwardly extending flange or spade member 112 on the otherside of the plate portion 104 into containerrestraining or holdingposition where it is in engagement with the marginal edge of a leadingcontainer stack. The end of the plate member 1113 which extendsforwardly of the stack end, as viewed in F16. 5, is bent outwardly toprovide a diagonal portion 113 with a bent terminal end 114 whichengages in sliding relation with the inside faceof the adjacent verticalplate member 73 or 74.

When the dispensing head 26 is moved toward the stack of containers thefree ends of the arms 95 engage first with the diagonal portions 113 ofthe assemblies 33 and the anns of each pair thereof are forced inwardly,toward each other. As the arms 95 are advanced toward the stack the endsof the plates 96 slide along the inside faces of the plate portions 113and 164 and as the movement continues, plate members 103 are pivotedabout the free end portions 114 in an outward direction which moves thespade member'112 to a position to release the stack of containers (FIG.A) with the curved end edges 101 on the arms 95 engaging the margins ofthe end container in the stack. Further advance of the head unit 20toward the stack forces the plate members 1113 to swing outwardly asufficient distance to permit the end members 102 on the arms 95 toclear the edges of the leading or endmost container in the stackwhereupon advance of the head 21) is stopped and the ends of the arms 95are forced inwardly toward the stack by pressure of the flat springplate members 37 to seat marginal edge portions of the foremostcontainer in the slots 1111 behind the hook forming plates 102 (FIG.10B) and position the container for withdrawal from the stack uponretraction of the head 20. As the head 20 moves away from the stack, thearms 95 are retracted and the plate members 1113 swing inwardly toposition the spade members 112 for engagement with the next succeedingcontainer in the stack, the stack being moved forward by properly timedoperation of the stack forwarding or feeding members 40 and 40' throughrotation of the shaft 44.

The container-engaging flanges or spade members 112 move against the rimof the next container in the stack and prevent the same from followingthe leading container to which it may cling because of the nesting ofthe containers. The arms 95 engage in back of the margin of the endmostcontainer in the stack and pull the container forwardly out of the stack(FIG. 111C). As the retracting or forward movement of the head 20continues, the whole head assembly 20 is turned downwardly about theaxis of the main crossbar 76 so as to swing the container which is heldin the slots 100 downwardly through a 90 arc to a position where itoverlies the trailing end of the conveyor table 20 (FIG. 9). To turn thehead assembly 2.0 through the 90 arc while it is moving forwardly andaway from the forward end of the container stack the main crossbar 76 isprovided at one end adjacent the side support plate 73 with a short,radially extending arm 115 (FIG. 1) which is fixed thereon and which hasa cam roller 116 operative in the upper portion 117 of the T-shaped slot78. The arm 115 also has a cam-forming finger extension 113 whichengages a cam member 121) mounted on the plate 73 as the head 211 ismoved away from the end of the stack so as to guide the cam roller 116into the cam slot portion 117 which turns the rod 76 about its axis.Subsequent movement of the head unit 213 is downwardly towards theconveyor table 16 to a position to deposit the container thereon. Thecam roller 116 travels during this movement in the vertically disposedportion of the T-shaped slot 77. The container is released from the headunit 26 by pressure on the ends of the arms 95 which occurs throughengagement of the ends thereof with abutment forming plates 121 and 121'on the side edges of the table 16. The arms of each pair thereof areopened or spread apart so as to release the container as the headun'it21l reaches the end of its downward movement. The plates 121 and121 are provided with outwardly and upwardly curved fingers 122 and 122'(FIG. 9) at the ends thereof for centering the containers on the tablefor pickup by the conveyor 17.

The operation of the conveyor 17 is controlled so as to advance thecontainers to the packing station (not shown) in proper times relationand in proper position for deposit therein of the eggs by the transferdevice (not shown). The conveyor 17 (FIG. 3) comprises a chain 1311supported at one end on a sprocket 131 on the main drive shaft 30. Theupper run of the conveyor 17 is carried in alongitudinally extending,upwardly opening recess 134 in the center of the table 16 and the chainis provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced pusher members135. The sprocket 131 has mounted on its one face in circumferentiallyspaced relation a group of live pins (FIGS. 2, 9 and 12) whichextend'parallel to the axis of the drive shaft 30 and which are spacedapart approximately 52 Two pins 136 at one end of the group are longerthan the remaining three pins 137. The spacing of the pins in the groupis uniform and is such that rotation of the sprocket a distancecorresponding to the distance between any two pins within the groupadvances the chain anamount equal to the spacing between the two rows ofegg-receiving cells in a carton or between the rows of egg-receivingpockets in a filler flat. The circumferential spacing between the twoendmost pins 136 and 137 in the group is such that rotation of thesprocket 131 a corresponding amount advances successive filler flats,with the proper spacing, to the transfer or loading station while thecircumferential spacing between the longer pins 136 in the directionaway from each other is such that rotation of the sprocket 131 acorresponding amount advances successive cartons in properly spacedrelation. The sprocket 131 is combined with a slip clutch 133 on theshaft 30 so that it may be held against rotation thereon while the shaft30 continues to rotate. A cooperating holding mechanism for engaging thepins 136 and 137 comprises a plate 139 mounted on a rockshaft 140extending between the main frame side plates 33 and 33' and having onits free end a' bracket 141 with a slot 142 in the outer end thereof foraccommodating a pin 143 carried on the free end of one arm of abellcrank 144 which is pivoted at 145 on the bracket plate 141 and has apivotal connection 146 at the end of its other arm 'with the end of amanual pull rod 147 which extends diagonally beneath the table 16. Thepull rod 147 has a handle on the free end and enables the pin 143 to beswung back and forward in the slot 143, as shown in FIG. 11, and thebracket plate 139 is swung by rotation of the rock shaft 140 tooperative position, the pin 143 will project into the path of the twolonger pins 136 only on the side face of the sprocket 131. This providesfor operation of conveyor 17 to handle cartons. When the pin 143 ismoved to the other end of the slot 142 it is in the path of all fivepins 136 and 137 and the conveyor 17 will be operated to handle fillerflats. The rockshaft 1.40 has a lifting arm 150 (FIG. 13) at its one endwhich extends in a parallel plane along the inner face of the circularplate 29 on the power shaft 31) and has a cam-forming bottom edge 151which rests on a pin 152 projecting from the inside face of the platemember 29 so that rotation of the plate member 29 rocks the shaft 140 tomove the control pin 143 into and out of position to engage with thepins 136 and 137 on the sprocket 131 and thereby control the rotation ofthe sprocket 131 and the advance of the conveyor 17. A pitman rod ispivotally connected to the opposite or outside face of the plate 29 sothat the operation of other elements of the packing machine and theconveyor 17 are properly synchronized to advance successive containersto the packing or container-loading station and position the same in theproper location for deposit of eggs in the containers.

The power shaft 30 is driven by a motor 155 (FIGS. 1 and 7) suitablymounted on the main frame 35 and having a drive sprocket 156 which isconnected by chain 157 with sprocket 158 on the power shaft 30. A bevelpinion 160 (FIGS. 2 and 9) on the power shaft 30 engages with a bevelpinion 161 on a longitudinal shaft 180 which drives the packing machinemechanisms. The pinion 161 is connected to the shaft 180 by a clutch 162which is controlled by a solenoid 163 under the control of anarticle-actuated device (not shown) at the article infeed end of thepacking machine.

The dispensing head 20 and the mechanism for feeding the cartons orfiller flats from the supply magazine 18 is operated by the cross-shaft44 and rotation of the cross-shaft 44 is controlled by solenoid 56'. Thesolenoid 56' is actuated by suitable switches (not shown) depending uponwhich type of packing receptacle is being supplied which switches areconnected into a special control circuit for the packing machine (notshown) through a manually operated selector switch. (not shown) Theelectrical circuit includes a transistorized power supply and controlunit with suitable manually operated disconnect switch and electricalcomponents for operating the various solenoids in proper timed relation.

In using the machine, a supply of either open cartons or filler flats,whichever is desired, is placed in the magazine 18, in stacked andnested relation and on the edge opposite the hinge in the case ofcartons, with the open face toward the dispensing head 20. The positionof plate 90 on the dispensing head 20 is adjusted on the crossbar 76 sothat the leading packing receptacle or container in the stack issubstantially centered when grasped by arms 95. The posts 35 and 35 areadjusted so that the guide assemblies 38 are at the proper height forcooperation with gripper arms 95 on the head 20. The pull rod 147 isoperated, if required, to set the control pin 143 for proper indexing ofconveyor 17 and the selector switch is operated to provide for controlof the dispensing head 20 and associated mechanism according to whethercartons are being packed or filler flats are being packed. The power isthen turned on to operate the motor 155.

When it is desired to pack filler flats in place of cartons or viceversa, the operation of the machine is stopped momentarily while anested stack of the desired containers is substituted in the magazine18, the head 20 and cooperating guide assemblies 38 are adjusted, thepull rod is operated to reset the control pin 143 and the selectorswitch is operated to activate the proper control switch for dispensingthe containers as required. The machine is then ready to resumeoperation with a very small time lapse required for the change over fromone type packing container to the other.

A modified form of the container-dispensing apparatus is illustrated inFIGS. 14 and 22 which may be employed for feeding cellular cartons,either molded or chipboard, or filler flats to a packing machine or apacking line. In the apparatus as shown the egg cartons or filler flatsare delivered from a stack, one by one, and deposited in a chute whichmay lead to a conveyor or other work area or the containers may bedeposited on a conveyor for a packer or the like. Also, the illustratedapparatus may be provided with manually operated controls enabling auser to feed the containers from the stack, as desired, or automaticdispensing of successive containers may be provided for.

The apparatus is mounted on an upright supporting frame 200 (FIGS. 14and and includes a stack-supporting mechanism 201 and a stripping head202 at the leading end thereof which is mounted for swingingreciprocatory movement between upright side frame plates 203 and 203',the latter being connected at the top and bottom by crossmembers 204 and205 and forming therewith a rigid top subframe. The stack supportmechanism or magazine 201 which extends in upwardly inclined relationfrom the bottom of the top subframe comprises a bottom plate 206 mountedbetween upstanding side plates 207 and 207' which is notched at theleading or bottom end at 208 and 208' to accommodate a pair of feedrollers 210, 210', the latter formed of rubber or similar material andbeing axially spaced on a shaft 211 journaled in bearings 212 and 212(FIG. 19). The shaft 211 is driven by chain 213 connecting a sprocket214 on the shaft 211 and the sprocket 215 on the output shaft of a drivemotor 216. The cartons or filler flats are supported on their sideedges, with the molded types being in nested relation and the chipboardcartons having their flaplike cover members extending in a plane normalto the plane of the body thereof and lying against the bottom 206 of thechute in overlapped relation. The cartons or filler flats movedownwardly in the inclined chute forming the magazine 201, by gravity,to a retractible holdback or stop mechanism which will be hereinafterdescribed. When chipboard canons are being dispensed, the successivecartons are moved out of the chute or magazine 201 by feed rollers 210,210', upon retraction of the holdback mechanism. When molded cartons ortiller flats are being dispensed successive cartons or filler flats arewithdrawn from the stack end by the stripping head 202, which operatesto move the holdback means to a position to release the endmost cartonor filler flat and to permit the head 202 to grab the same and pull itfree of the stack end. A removable cover plate, indicated at 217 in FIG.14, is provided to cover feed rollers 210, 210 when the apparatus isemployed to dispense the molded-type containers.

The stripping head 202 is carried on a supporting frame 220 (FIGS. 14and 15) which is mounted between the side frame plates 203 and 203' onaxially aligned pivots 221 and 221' and comprises vertically extendingside frame members 222, 222' and top and bottom cross frame members 223and 224, the former constituting a pivot bar on which the head 202 iscarried for swinging movement relative to the frame 220. The frame 220is swung on the pivots 221 and 221' by operation of the connecting rod225 which has its lower end pivoted at 226 to a small bracket arm 227extending from the frame side member 222 and is connected at its upperend to an eccentric 228 mounted on the end of the drive shaft 231 so asto provide for reciprocation of the connecting rod 225. The drive shaft231 is mounted in suitable bearing members on the top frame member 204and is driven by motor 232. Motor 232 is suitably mounted on the topcross frame member 204 with a coupling 233 connecting the power outputshaft to a single-revolution clutch 234 on the shaft 231. The motor 232and clutch 234 may have suitable controls (not shown) to provide formanual actuation or repeated cycling so as to operate the power shaft231 for swinging the frame 220 and the head 202 for dispensing a singlecontainer or successive containers, as desired.

The container-dispensing device or head assembly 202 (FIGS. 14, 15 and18) which is carried on the top crossmember 223 of the swinging frame220 comprises a bracketforming support which includes a base plate 260secured on the center of the crossbar 223 with parallel, laterallyspaced side edge flanges or plates 261, 261' which in the position shownin FIGS. 14 and 15 are in depending relation and connected atcorresponding ends by cross pins 262 and 262 on which there arepivotally mounted in paired relation laterally spaced container-grabbingarms 263. The grabber arms 263 are of identical construction and extendin opposite directions from opposite ends of the bracket support 260,each being mounted adjacent the associated side flange 261 or 261' onthe pivot-forming pin 262 or 262. The grabber arms 263 of each pair ateach side of the support plate 260 are connected by a relatively longtension spring 264 so as to normally urge the outer ends of the two arms263 toward each other. Each grabber arm 263 is limited in its movementin the direction of the opposite one of each pair thereof by a stopmember 265 which is positioned to be engaged by the edge portion of thetail end of the arm 263. Each arm 263 is limited in its move ment in theopposite direction about its pivot 262 or 262' by engagement of its topedge, as viewed in FIG. 15, with the end edge of the support plate 260.The arms 263 may be moved to an inoperative position and the springs 264positioned over the opposite edge portions or margins of the plate 260(FIG.

22) to hold the arms 263 in a spread-apart or open position when theapparatus is used to dispense chipboard cartons as hereinafterdescribed. Each grabber arm 263 has the configuration shown, which isgenerally L-shaped, with a curved edge at 266 which extends beneath theend of a small hook-forming plate 267 fastened on the free end thereofin a plane normal to that of the body of the arm 263 and providing aslot 268 which opens at the end of the curved edge 266. Each one of thearms 263 carries adjacent its outermost edge a pin 270 projecting normalto the plane of the body of the arm for controlling the movement of thearm as it approaches the end of the stack in the chute 201, in a mannerhereinafter described. A guide bar 2'71 extends upwardly from one end ofthe pivot bar 223 and slides in a guide-forming eye 272 which is mountedfor rotation about the axis of its stem portion in a fixed cylindricalbracket 273 extending from theframe plate 203'. The guide bar 271 isarranged so as to turn the head 202 through a predetermined angle, aboutthe axis of the supporting bar 223, as the frame 220 is swung betweenthe container-dropping position (FIG. 13) and a container-grippingposition (FIG. 18) where the head is in a plane at the end of the feedchute or magazine 201 which is generally parallel with the plane of theend container in the stack therein.

Mechanism is provided at the lower or discharge end of the feed chute201 for holding back the remainder of a nested stack of containers, whenthe gripper arms 263 engage the leading or end container in the stackand the head 202 is retracted to pull the same away from the remainderof the containers in the stack so as to denest and free the endmostcontainer for movement away from the stack. There is also mounted at thelower end of the-feed chute 201 a mechanism for holding back thechipboard containers, when they are being dispensed, which is operatedbyswinging movement of the frame 220 to release the lower endmostcontainer for advance out of the chute 201 by the feed rollers 210,210'.

The container holdback mechanism 275 (FIGS. 14, 15 and 38) which isprovided for use when the apparatus is employed to dispense moldedcartons or molded filler flats, comprises two sets of upper and lowerholdback devices 276, 277 and 276', 277' arranged in vertically spacedrelation on supporting bracket assemblies 278, 278' at each side of thefeed chute 201, with each of the devices on one side of the apparatusbeing aligned transversely of the apparatus with a corresponding deviceon the opposite side thereof, the lowermost hold back devices 277 277being employed when molded cartons are dispensed and all four devicesbeing employed when filler flats are being dispensed. The bracketassemblies 278, 278' are identical, except for being rights and loftsand likewise the four holdback devices which are mounted thereon areidentical except for being rights and lefts. Only one bracket assembly278 and the uppermost holdback device 276 will be described in detail.

The supporting bracket assembly 278 comprises a base plate 279 (H0. 17)which is bolted or otherwise secured to the inside face of the uprightframe plate 203, with an inwardly extending vertical plate member 280and vertically spaced angle members mounted thereon so as to provideshelflike support forming parallel flanges 281 and 282 extendinginwardly in planes generally parallel with the inclinedfloor 206 of thechute 201 for supporting the holdback devices 276 and 277. The holdbackdevice 276 comprises a generally rectangular plate member 283 (FIG.18)'mounted on the upper shelf 281 by a pivot and slot connection 284with an associated torsion spring 285 for urging the plate member in adirection about the pivot 284 to bring the inner edge 286 of the freeend thereof into engagement with the side or end edges of the containersas shown in FIG. 18. A finger-forming lug 287 is mounted on the bottomface of the plate member 283 with a free endthereof extending asufficient distance outboard of the plate edge 286 to project into thepath of the containers in the stack and form a stop therefor when theplate member 283 is in the position shown in FIGS. 18, 18B and 18C. Ahooklike angle member 288 extends from the plate member 283 with itsfree leg positioned outside of the outer edge of the shelf 282 so as tolimit the inward movement of the plate member 283. The plate member 283is cut away at the trailing portion of its inner margin to provide a camslot 289 in which the cam roller or pin 270 is adapted to engage whenthe head 202 is swung into container-grabbing position at the dischargeend of the chute or magazine 201. Upon initial engagement of the cammember 270 in the cam slot 289 the arm 263 swings outwardly about thepivot 262 and forces the plate member 283 outwardly and in the directionof the stack of containers (FIG. 18A), against the pull of the spring264, withdrawing the stop lug 287 from its stack-holding position andfreeing the endmost container in the stack. As the head 202 reverses itsmovement the edge of the endmost container engages in the slot 268 inthe grabber arm 263 as shown in FIG. 18B and the stop lug 287 swingsback into stack-holding position as shown in FIG. 18C. The springs 264urge the grabber arms 263 of each pair thereof toward each other so thatthey grip the endmost container as the frame 220 swings to the positionshown in FIG. 15 where the arm 263 are spread apart to release thecontainer by engagement of the ends thereof with the release bars 290and 290' which are mounted on the inside of the frame plates 203 and203' and extend in the path of the arms 263 a sufiicient distance toengage the ends thereof and swing the same upwardly about their pivots262 against the action of the springs 266.

The holdback mechanism which is operative when the apparatus of FIGS. 14to 22B is employed for dispensing chipboard cartons is shown in FIGS. 20to-22B. It comprises two stop devices 300 and 300', mounted-in lateralalignment on the inside faces of the support plates 203 and 203', whichare of identical construction, except for being rights and lefts. Sincethe two devices are identical in structure, only one thereof will bedescribed, it being understood that the other device at the oppositeside of the machine is constructed and operated in the same manner. Theholdback device 300 (FIGS. 20 to 22) comprises a generally U-shapedsupport bracket 301, secured by one leg thereof on the frame plate 203,and a stop rod 302 which has its one end connected by pivot 303 to thefree end of the longer arm of a bellcrank 304 which is pivotally mountedat 305 on a flange 306 extending inwardly of the side plate 203 on thebracket 301. The shorter arm 307 of the bellcrank 304 carries a threadedbolt 308 which is supported in an upstanding flange portion 310 with thehead of the bolt extending in the path of the side bar 222 of the frame220 so as to be engaged thereby when the frame 220 is swung towards thechute 201. The stop rod 302 slides in a guide slot 311 in the inner legof the bracket 301 and is provided with an adjustable stop collar 312for limiting the move ment of the rod 302 in a direction to project theend thereof in the path of the cartons, indicated at C, when they arestacked in the chute 201. A tension spring 313 is mounted so as to urgethe stop rod 302 into operating position, with the free end extendinginwardly of the inner face of the bracket 301. A latch plate 314 havinga finger piece 315 is pivoted at 316 on the bracket 301 so that when thebellcrank 304 is swung to a position to withdraw the stop rod 302 thelatch plate 314 may be pivoted into a position to hold or latch the rod302 in a nonoperating or retracted position. This is employed when otherthan chipboard cartons are being dispensed. When the stop rod 302 is inextended position the free end will project into the path of thechipboard containers and hold the same against advance out of the end ofthe chute 20l. When the bolt 308 is engaged by swinging movement of theframe 222 and forced in the direction of the chute 201 the stop rod 302is withdrawn so that the end container in the chute is free to beadvanced by operation of the rollers 210 and 210 which extend in theslots 208 and 208' and frictionally engage the trailing cover flap ofthe endmost container. When the apparatus 'is dispensing chipboardcartons the side frame members 222 and 222 of the grabber head 201operate the holdback devices 300 and 300' to release the cartons foradvance by feed rollers 210 and 210' and the grabber arms 263 are heldin an inoperative position by the springs 264 as shown in FIGS. 22 to228.

We claim:

1. In a packaging machine, means forming a magazine including a bottomsupport plate and upstanding side frame members adapted to receive astack of open packaging containers in nested relation and disposed onthe side edges thereof so that the leading container may be separatedfrom the stack and fed through the end of the magazine, side framemembers extending forwardly at opposite sides of said magazine-formingmeans and having guide slots therein with forward and downwardlydirected portions, a containerdispensing device having end portionsmounted in said guide slots for swingable and slidable movement betweena container-gripping position at the end of the magazine and acontamer-depositing position forwardly thereof, said dispensing devicehaving a plurality of pivotally mounted gripper arms thereon, cammingmechanism mounted on the magazineforming means for swinging the gripperarms into engaging relation with margins of the leading container in astack when the dispensing device is moved to container-grippingposition, pivoted stop means on said magazine means for normally holdingthe stack of containers against discharge through said magazine end,which stop means is disposed in the path of said gripper arms so as tobe swung to a position to release the endmost container when the gripperarms are moved to containergripping position, and cam means at saidcontainer-depositing position for moving said gripper arms to releasethe container when the dispensing device is moved tocontainer-depositing position.

2. In a packaging machine, a magazine formed by a bottom support memberand upstanding side frame members and adapted to receive a stack of openpackaging containers in nested relation and disposed on the side edgesthereof so that the leading container may be separated from the stackand discharged laterally out of the magazine, side frame platesextending forwardly of the discharge end of the magazine, acontainer-dispensing device swingably mounted between said side frameplates for movement between a generally vertical container-grippingposition at the end of the stack and a generally horizontal containerdepositing position forwardly thereof, said dispensing device comprisinga frame with a crossmember having a pair of container-engaging armspivotally mounted thereon, means for resiliently urging the free ends ofsaid arms toward each other, guide mechanism on said frame plates forguiding the arms into gripping relation with the leading container in astack when the dispensing device is moved to said container-grippingposition and means at the bottom of said side frame plates disposed inthe path of said arms for spreading the arms to release the containerwhen the dispensing device is moved to container-depositing position.

3. In a packaging machine as set forth in claim 2, and saidcontainer-engaging arms having hooklike gripper formations at their freeends, said guide mechanism being swingably mounted for guiding the freeends of the gripper arms into gripping relation with the leadingcontainer in a stack when the dispensing device is moved tocontainer-gripping position, said guide mechanism having stop meansthereon for normally engaging the containers at the end of the stack andlimiting the forward movement of the stack which stop means is swung tostack-releasing position by movement of said gripper anns intoengagement with the leading container in the stack so as to release saidleading container for withdrawal thereof by said arms.

4. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from astack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting framemembers, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting framemembers with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting framemembers, retractable stop means mounted at the discharge end of saidmagazine which is normally operative to engage the end container and tohold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, meanscomprising a swingable frame mounted between said supporting framemembers for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of saidmagazine, said frame having cam means for retracting said stack-holdingmeans so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from themagazine, said frame having a crossmember with a pair of arms pivotedthereon which have hooklike free ends disposed to engage over the sideedges of the leading container in the stack, means to normally urge thefree ends of said arms into container-engaging relation, and cam meansat the discharge end of said magazine for guiding said hooklike arm endsinto container edge-engaging relation.

5. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from astack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting framemembers, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting framemembers with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting framemembers, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine whichis normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in themagazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members forswinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine foroperating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmostcontainer for withdrawal from the magazine, and said supply magazinehaving side frame members, movably mounted raillike members disposedbeneath the stack and means for moving the same in an endless path so asto lift the stack and urge it forward, said stop means comprisingspringpressed stop members at the forward end of the stack for limitingthe forward movement of the stack, and a device for restraining thestack against retractive movement comprising a vertically disposed framemounted in sliding relation at up posite ends on the magazine side framemembers and frictionally restrained against retractive movement whilefree to move forwardly against the trailing side of the receptaclestack, and said device having depending spring-pressed pins frictionallyengaging said raillike members whereby said device is moved forwardlywith the stack by said raillike members.

6. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from astack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting framemembers, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting framemembers with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting framemembers, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine whichis normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in themagazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members forswinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine foroperating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmostcontainer for withdrawal from the magazine, sand said magazine havingupright side frame members, movably mounted raillike members in saidmagazine beneath the stack, means for moving said raillike members in anendless path in the direction of the leading end of the stack so as tolift the stack and urge it forward, and a device for restraining thestack against retractive movement comprising a vertically disposed framehaving a sliding connection at opposite ends with the magazine sideframe members and frictionally restrained against retractive movementwhile free to move forwardly against the trailing side of the stack, andmeans for moving said device in the direction of the stack so as toapply pressure to the trailing side of the stack and to urge itforwardly against said stop means.

7. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from astack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting framemembers, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting framemembers with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting framemembers, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine whichis normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in themagazine, and means mounted between said supporting frame members forswinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine foroperating said stack-holding means so as to release the end mostcontainer for withdrawal from the magazine, and said magazine having abottom and side frame members and an open forward discharge end,raillike stack supporting members mounted in said magazine bottom forvertical and horizontal movement in the direction of said forward end soas to lift the stack and move it forward, said means for operating saidstack-holding means constituting a dispensing device having grippers forengaging the endmost container in the stack, means for operating saiddispensing device so as to swing the same in a generally L-shaped pathand for engaging the grippers with the leading container in the forwardend of the stack and for withdrawing said leading container from thestack and feeding it forward and downwardly therefrom, and saidstackholding means normally limiting the forward movement of the stackresulting from the operation of said raillike supporting members.

8. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from astack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting framemembers, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting framemembers with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting framemembers, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine whichis normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in themagazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members forswinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine foroperating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmostcontainer for withdrawal from the magazine, and a longitudinal extendingstack-advancing member mounted in the bottom of said magazine, means foroperating said stack-advancing member so as to urge the stack ofcontainers forwardly in said magazine, said stack-holding meanscomprising movable stop members normally positioned for limiting theforward movement of the stack, means for restraining the stack againstretractive movement, said means for operating said stack-holding meanscomprising a dispensing device for withdrawing the leading containerfrom the stack including a frame having a crossbar extending betweensaid upright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a supportplate adjustably mounted on said crossbar, pairs of pivotally mounted,vertically spaced arm members on said support plate, said arm membersextending toward said supporting frame members and having hooklikeformations on the free ends thereof for grasping opposite sideedges ofthe endmost container in the stack, said supporting frame members havinggenerally L-shaped cam slots, said crossbar having its ends seated insaid cam slots, and means for moving said crossbar to bring said armmembers into engagement with said stop members and thereby move saidstop members to an inoperative position so as to release the endmostcontainer in the stack for engagement by said hooklike formations.

9 Apparatus for dispensing traylikearticle-packing containers from astack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting framemembers,- a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supportingframe members with the discharge end thereof adjacent'said supportingframe members, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazinewhich is normally operative to hold the stack against forward movementin the magazine'means mounted between said supporting frame members. forswinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine foroperating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmostcontainer for withdrawal from the magazine, and a longitudinallyextending stack-advancing member mounted in the bottom of said magazine,means for moving said stack-advancing member in an endless path so astointermittently lift the stack of containers and advance the same, saidstack-holding means including movable stop members normally springpressed into a position for limiting the forward movement of the stack,means for holding the stack against retractive movement, and said meansfor operating said stack-holding means com risin a frame havin con'nerin thergon, s aid arms having hook l i ke fgh 'r t tio tls t i ri the fi' ends thereof for grasping opposite edges of the endmost containerin the stack, means for moving said frame and said arms in a path tobring said arms into engagement with said stop members and to move saidstop members to an inoperative position so as to release the endmostcontainer in the stack, said arms being arranged in pairs and the armsof each pair thereof being spring urged toward each other so as toengage the hooklike end formations with opposite edges of the leadingcontainer in the stack whenv moved to a predetermined position in thestack when moved to a predetermined position at the leading end of thestack.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9, and said arms having means forholding each pair thereof in a spread-apart, inoperative position.

11. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from astack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting framemembers, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting framemembers with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting framemembers, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine whichis normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in themagazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members 'forswinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine foroperating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmostcontainer for withdrawal from the magazine, and said means for operatingsaid stack-holding means constituting a dispensing device forwithdrawing the leading container from the stack comprising a crossframe having opposite ends sup ported in said laterally spacedsupporting frame members, said supporting members having generallyL-shaped cam slots for receiving cam rollers at opposite ends of saiddispensing cross frame, said dispensing device havingreceptacle-gripping arms pivoted at one end thereof on said cross frame,said arms having hooklike fonnations on the free ends for graspingopposite edges of the endmost container in the stack, means for swingingsaid dispensing frame in a path determined by said cam slots, and meansto rotate a portion of said dispensing frame to bring the ends of saidarms into engagement with said stackholding means and thereby move saidstack-holding means to a position which releases the endmost containerin the stack for engagement by said hook formatiom 12. Apparatus asrecited in claim 11, and said stack-holding means being resilientlyurged toward the stack so as to force the ends of the gripping arms intogripping engagement with the edges of the endmost container.

13. Apparatus for dispensingtraylike article-packing containers from astack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting framemembers, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting framemembers with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting framemembers, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine whichis normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in themagazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members forswinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine foroperating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmostcontainer for withdrawal from the magazine, and said stack-holding meanscomprising spring-pressed pins slidably mounted in supporting bracketswith their free ends normally extending into the path of the endportions of containers disposed in said magazine, and said pins beingretractable out of said path by said means for operating saidstack-holding means.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. :5 :5"9Dated March 30 1971 Charles H. willsey and Francis W. Majors Inventor(s)It is certified that error appears in the above-identified pater andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, lines 22 and 23, delete "and withdrawing the same by a forwardend and a. device for gripping successive endmost containers" Column 1,lines 32 and 33, delete "and for withdrawi1 successive endmostcontainers from the stack" Column 2, line 59, cancel "p0" and insertpost forming Column 3, line 61, "deposits" should be deposits Column 12,line 52, "sand" should be 7 and Column l t, line 15, delete "in thestack when moved to a predetermined position" Signed and sealed this28th day of September 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attestlng Off cer ActingCommissioner of Pat

1. In a packaging machine, means forming a magazine including a bottomsupport plate and upstanding side frame members adapted to receive astack of open packaging containers in nested relation and disposed onthe side edges thereof so that the leading container may be separatedfrom the stack and fed through the end of the magazine, side framemembers extending forwardly at opposite sides of said magazine-formingmeans and having guide slots therein with forward and downwardlydirected portions, a container-dispensing device having end portionsmounted in said guide slots for swingable and slidable movement betweena container-gripping position at the end of the magazine and acontainer-depositing position forwardly thereof, said dispensing devicehaving a plurality of pivotally mounted gripper arms thereon, cammingmechanism mounted on the magazine-forming means for swinging the gripperarms into engaging relation with margins of the leading container in astack when the dispensing device is moved to container-grippingposition, pivoted stop means on said magazine means for normally holdingthe stack of containers against discharge through said magazine end,which stop means is disposed in the path of said gripper arms so as tobe swung to a position to release the endmost container when the gripperarms are moved to container-gripping position, and cam means at saidcontainer-depositing position for moving said gripper arms to releasethe container when the dispensing device is moved tocontainer-depositing position.
 2. In a packaging machine, a magazineformed by a bottom support member and upstanding side frame members andadapted to receive a stack of open packaging containers in nestedrelation and disposed on the side edges thereof so that the leadingcontainer may be separated from the stack and discharged laterally outof the magazine, side frame plates extending forwardly of the dischargeend of the magazine, a container-dispensing device swingably mountedbetween said side frame plates for movement between a generally verticalcontainer-gripping position at the end of the stack and a generallyhorizontal container depositing position forwardly thereof, saiddispensing device comprising a frame with a crossmember having a pair ofcontainer-engaging arms pivotally mounted thereon, means for resilientlyurging the free ends of said arms toward each other, guide mechanism onsaid frame plates for guiding the arms into gripping relation with theleading container in a stack when the dispensing device is moved to saidcontainer-gripping position and means at the bottom of said side frameplates disposed in the path of said arms for spreading the arms torelease the container when the dispensing device is moved tocontainer-depositing position.
 3. In a packaging machine as set forth inclaim 2, and said container-engaging arms having hooklike gripperformations at their free ends, said guide mechanism being swingablymounted for guiding the free ends of the gripper arms into grippingrelation with the leading container in a stack when the dispensingdevice is moved to container-gripping position, said guide mechanismhaving stop means thereon for normally engaging the containers at theend of the stack and limiting the forward movement of the stack whichstop means is swung to stack-releasing position by movement of saidgripper arms into engagement with the leading container in the stack soas to release said leading container for withdrawal thereof by saidarms.
 4. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containersfrom a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supportingframe members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supportingframe members with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supportingframe members, retractable stop means mounted at the discharge end ofsaid magazine which is normally operative to engage the end containerand to hold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, meanscomprising a swingable frame mounted between said supporting framemembers for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end of saidmagazine, said frame having cam means for retracting said stack-holdingmeans so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from themagazine, said frame having a crossmember with a pair of arms pivotedthereon which have hooklike free ends disposed to engage over the sideedges of the leading container in the stack, means to normally urge thefree ends of said arms into container-engaging relation, and cam meansat the discharge end of said magazine for guiding said hooklike arm endsinto container edge-engaging relation.
 5. Apparatus for dispensingtraylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprisingupright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receivingmagazine extending from said supporting frame members with the dischargeend thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mountedat the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative tohold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mountedbetween said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward andfrom the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holdingmeans so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from themagazine, and said supply magazine having side frame members, movablymounted raillike members disposed beneath the stack and means for movingthe same in an endless path so as to lift the stack and urge it forward,said stop means comprising spring-pressed stop members at the forwardend of the stack for limiting the forward movement of the stack, and adevice for restraining the stack against retractive movement comprisinga vertically disposed frame mounted in sliding relation at opposite endson the magazine side frame members and frictionally restrained againstretractive movement while free to move forwardly against the trailingside of the receptacle stack, and said device having dependingspring-pressed pins frictionally engaging said raillike members wherebysaid device is moved forwardly with the stack by said raillike members.6. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packing containers from astack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced, supporting framemembers, a stack-receiving magazine extending from said supporting framemembers with the discharge end thereof adjacent said supporting framemembers, stop means mounted at the discharge end of said magazine whichis normally operative to hold the stack against forward movement in themagazine, means mounted between said supporting frame members forswinging movement toward and from the discharge end of said magazine foroperating said stack-holding means so as to release the endmostcontainer for withdrawal from the magazine, sand said magazine havingupright side frame members, movably mounted raillike Members in saidmagazine beneath the stack, means for moving said raillike members in anendless path in the direction of the leading end of the stack so as tolift the stack and urge it forward, and a device for restraining thestack against retractive movement comprising a vertically disposed framehaving a sliding connection at opposite ends with the magazine sideframe members and frictionally restrained against retractive movementwhile free to move forwardly against the trailing side of the stack, andmeans for moving said device in the direction of the stack so as toapply pressure to the trailing side of the stack and to urge itforwardly against said stop means.
 7. Apparatus for dispensing traylikearticle-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright,laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazineextending from said supporting frame members with the discharge endthereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted atthe discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to holdthe stack against forward movement in the magazine, and means mountedbetween said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward andfrom the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holdingmeans so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from themagazine, and said magazine having a bottom and side frame members andan open forward discharge end, raillike stack supporting members mountedin said magazine bottom for vertical and horizontal movement in thedirection of said forward end so as to lift the stack and move itforward, said means for operating said stack-holding means constitutinga dispensing device having grippers for engaging the endmost containerin the stack, means for operating said dispensing device so as to swingthe same in a generally L-shaped path and for engaging the grippers withthe leading container in the forward end of the stack and forwithdrawing said leading container from the stack and feeding it forwardand downwardly therefrom, and said stack-holding means normally limitingthe forward movement of the stack resulting from the operation of saidraillike supporting members.
 8. Apparatus for dispensing traylikearticle-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprising upright,laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazineextending from said supporting frame members with the discharge endthereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mounted atthe discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative to holdthe stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mountedbetween said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward andfrom the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holdingmeans so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from themagazine, and a longitudinal extending stack-advancing member mounted inthe bottom of said magazine, means for operating said stack-advancingmember so as to urge the stack of containers forwardly in said magazine,said stack-holding means comprising movable stop members normallypositioned for limiting the forward movement of the stack, means forrestraining the stack against retractive movement, said means foroperating said stack-holding means comprising a dispensing device forwithdrawing the leading container from the stack including a framehaving a crossbar extending between said upright, laterally spaced,supporting frame members, a support plate adjustably mounted on saidcrossbar, pairs of pivotally mounted, vertically spaced arm members onsaid support plate, said arm members extending toward said supportingframe members and having hooklike formations on the free ends thereoffor grasping opposite side edges of the endmost container in the stack,said supporting frame members having generally L-shaped cam slots, saidcrossbar having its ends seated in said cam slots, and means for movingsaid crossbar to bring said arm mEmbers into engagement with said stopmembers and thereby move said stop members to an inoperative position soas to release the endmost container in the stack for engagement by saidhooklike formations. 9 Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packingcontainers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced,supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from saidsupporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent saidsupporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end ofsaid magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack againstforward movement in the magazine means mounted between said supportingframe members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end ofsaid magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to releasethe endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and alongitudinally extending stack-advancing member mounted in the bottom ofsaid magazine, means for moving said stack-advancing member in anendless path so as to intermittently lift the stack of containers andadvance the same, said stack-holding means including movable stopmembers normally spring pressed into a position for limiting the forwardmovement of the stack, means for holding the stack against retractivemovement, and said means for operating said stack-holding meanscomprising a frame having container-gripping arms pivoted thereon, saidarms having hooklike formations on the free ends thereof for graspingopposite edges of the endmost container in the stack, means for movingsaid frame and said arms in a path to bring said arms into engagementwith said stop members and to move said stop members to an inoperativeposition so as to release the endmost container in the stack, said armsbeing arranged in pairs and the arms of each pair thereof being springurged toward each other so as to engage the hooklike end formations withopposite edges of the leading container in the stack when moved to apredetermined position in the stack when moved to a predeterminedposition at the leading end of the stack.
 10. Apparatus as set forth inclaim 9, and said arms having means for holding each pair thereof in aspread-apart, inoperative position.
 11. Apparatus for dispensingtraylike article-packing containers from a stack thereof, comprisingupright, laterally spaced, supporting frame members, a stack-receivingmagazine extending from said supporting frame members with the dischargeend thereof adjacent said supporting frame members, stop means mountedat the discharge end of said magazine which is normally operative tohold the stack against forward movement in the magazine, means mountedbetween said supporting frame members for swinging movement toward andfrom the discharge end of said magazine for operating said stack-holdingmeans so as to release the endmost container for withdrawal from themagazine, and said means for operating said stack-holding meansconstituting a dispensing device for withdrawing the leading containerfrom the stack comprising a cross frame having opposite ends supportedin said laterally spaced supporting frame members, said supportingmembers having generally L-shaped cam slots for receiving cam rollers atopposite ends of said dispensing cross frame, said dispensing devicehaving receptacle-gripping arms pivoted at one end thereof on said crossframe, said arms having hooklike formations on the free ends forgrasping opposite edges of the endmost container in the stack, means forswinging said dispensing frame in a path determined by said cam slots,and means to rotate a portion of said dispensing frame to bring the endsof said arms into engagement with said stack-holding means and therebymove said stack-holding means to a position which releases the endmostcontainer in the stack for engagement by said hook formation. 12.Apparatus as recited in claim 11, and said stack-holding means beingresiliently urged toward the stack so as to force the ends of thegripping arms Into gripping engagement with the edges of the endmostcontainer.
 13. Apparatus for dispensing traylike article-packingcontainers from a stack thereof, comprising upright, laterally spaced,supporting frame members, a stack-receiving magazine extending from saidsupporting frame members with the discharge end thereof adjacent saidsupporting frame members, stop means mounted at the discharge end ofsaid magazine which is normally operative to hold the stack againstforward movement in the magazine, means mounted between said supportingframe members for swinging movement toward and from the discharge end ofsaid magazine for operating said stack-holding means so as to releasethe endmost container for withdrawal from the magazine, and saidstack-holding means comprising spring-pressed pins slidably mounted insupporting brackets with their free ends normally extending into thepath of the end portions of containers disposed in said magazine, andsaid pins being retractable out of said path by said means for operatingsaid stack-holding means.